Written by: Emily Huffstetler
In just a few weeks, the summer heat will break, and East Tennessee will be ablaze with fall foliage. What better way to experience this spectacular transition than a camping trip? Since the Great Smoky Mountains is the nation’s most-visited national park, it’s a good idea to start planning early.
Just outside the national park, the Peaceful Side of the Smokies offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and modern conveniences. Whether you prefer luxurious glamping or traditional camping, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort – Townsend
This award-winning outdoor resort offers a range of accommodations, including luxury RV sites, cozy cabins, glamping lodges, tiny homes, Airstreams and vacation homes. The resort hosts a rotating calendar of guest activities, with options such as crafts, bingo, trivia and seasonal events throughout the year.
The resort’s amenities include a 24/7 coffee lounge featuring a movie and book exchange, games and a kids’ playroom; hiking trails; a zero-entry pool with grottos, a splash pad and a hot tub; a cabana with TVs; a lookout pavilion with a double-sided fireplace, heat lamps, bathrooms, a catering kitchen and an AV system; a basketball court, gaga ball pit and a pickleball court; a dog park; a boutique; a playground; a tipi; a 24/7 laundry facility; two luxury bath houses; a community fire pit and a community garden. Guests also have access to two Little River access points, and the resort’s newest addition, Secret Slice, serves pizza, wings and salads on site.
In 2026, Little Arrow expanded its Townsend camping options with Little Arrow Base Camp, a sister property located about a mile from the main resort. Base Camp offers more than 30 RV and camping sites, including riverfront and large pull-through options. Amenities include a pool, playground, camp store and direct Little River access. Its location along the Townsend Greenway also makes it easy to explore nearby restaurants, shops and attractions on foot or by bike. Base Camp operates as a separate property with its own amenities and reservations.
Big Meadow Family Campground – Townsend
Situated on historic farmland, Big Meadow Family Campground has hosted happy campers since 1995. Designed with big rigs in mind, the campground offers level pull-through sites measuring 75 to 80 feet, along with extra-long back-in sites up to 100 feet. For added peace of mind, the park is gated with 24-hour security. Amenities include a dog park, a splash pad and playground, a basketball court, cornhole, a gazebo with a firepit, a pavilion, a climate-controlled bathhouse and laundry room, a workout room, a camp store, cable TV and Wi-Fi.
Little River Campground – Townsend
Located along the Little River in Townsend, Little River Campground offers RV and tent sites as well as riverfront glamping cabins. RV options include full-hookup sites with 30- and 50-amp service, while amenities include a seasonal swimming pool, remodeled bathhouses, a camp store, playground, Wi-Fi, fire pits and picnic tables. Guests can also fish or tube on the Little River, with tube rentals available on site during the season. Seasonal activities include Saturday arts and crafts, hayrides and weekend events at the campground’s pavilion and community fire pit.
Whispering River Resort – Walland
Whispering River Resort offers a mix of primitive campsites, RV spots and riverside cabins. It boasts half a mile of direct Little River access, perfect for fishing and kayaking, while its RV sites offer full 30- and 50-amp hookups. Other amenities include a swimming pool, a swimming beach, on-site laundry, walking trails, individual bathrooms, a dog park and a fitness center.
Smoky Waters Campground – Townsend
Smoky Waters Campground is located just two miles from the Cades Cove entrance. It sits on 40 acres of land with over 1,700 feet of river access. Its simpler amenity offerings make it a good choice for campers looking for a more traditional camping experience close to the national park.
Three front-country campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are easily accessible from the Peaceful Side. Cades Cove Campground is open year-round; Elkmont Campground is open from April 4 to Nov. 28; and Look Rock Campground is open from May 9 to Oct. 24.
All three have flush toilets and access to drinking water. Look Rock Campground also offers a limited number of sites with electric and water hookups. Advance reservations are required for frontcountry campsites throughout the national park. Backcountry camping is also allowed at designated sites and shelters with a permit.
Are you looking for accessible lodging on the Peaceful Side? Read our guide here. Find a comprehensive directory of campgrounds on the Peaceful Side here.
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Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and storyteller of the Greater Smokies region. She holds a Master of Science in Conservation Education from Mississippi State University.
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